No Bake Energy Balls. Loaded with old fashioned oats, peanut butter and flax seeds. These Energy Balls are a healthy protein packed breakfast or snack!
Looking for more energy bite recipes? Try my Almond Joy Protein Balls or Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites!
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Ultimate guide to Energy Bites!
These energy balls are no bake, super easy to make and take less than 10 minutes to put together. Loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats to keep you full and loaded with energy throughout the day. The base of this recipe is only a couple of ingredients: peanut butter, old fashioned oats, flax seed and honey. Next you pick your favorite add in’s. Keep it simple and do chocolate chips or add in M & M’s, chocolate or even lemon! Everything gets combined in one bowl. Best of all you never have to turn on the oven!
You may have heard of these referred to as energy balls, lactation bites or protein bites. Either way they are a healthy pick me up that is the perfect on the go snack to give you energy throughout the day.
5 star rating
“These are amazing! I make these balls all the time because I’m that obsessed with peanut butter. Always switching up the ingredients to give it a new kick 🙂” – Karen
why you’ll love these energy balls
The best things about this energy bites recipe is that it is super versatile. If you do not have flax seed on hand substitute wheat germ. Try dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet. Add in shredded coconut, cranberries or cocoa powder.
These Peanut Butter Energy Bites could easily pass as dessert. My batch lasted less than 24 hours. They are the perfect mix between a granola bar and cookie dough. Great to curb the afternoon munchies and the dreaded mid afternoon energy slump. If your craving chocolate try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites!
You can even freeze these oatmeal energy bites if you don’t eat them all within a week. Here’s what you’ll need to make these No Bake Energy Bites:
Ingredients
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Helps to bind the energy bites together. You can also use your favorite nut butter as well!
- Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips: I love using mini chocolate chips if I have them on hand. Dark chocolate chunks are also amazing in this!
- Old Fashioned Oats: I prefer to use old fashioned oats or rolled oats in this recipe. I would not recommend making these with steel cut oats or instant oats. If you want to keep these bites gluten free make sure to use certified gluten free oats!
- Ground Flax Seed: Adds a boost of fiber and nutrients. If you don’t have flax seed on hand substitute hemp seed, chia seed or add extra old fashioned oats.
- Honey: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness to these energy balls. Agave can be used in place of the honey.
how to make energy balls
To make these peanut butter chocolate chip energy bites simply combine all 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Place in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes so they are easier to roll. Roll into 12 bites and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Tips for making energy bites
- Always try rolling the bites after they have been refrigerated. This makes rolling them so much easier. If you are still having trouble rolling them try wetting your hands or adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of water to the mixture.
- Instead of rolling out into balls the mixture can be placed in a square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate and cut to make no bake energy bars!
Energy ball variations
- White Chocolate Cranberry: Add in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries!
- Double Chocolate: Add some cocoa powder and chocolate chips (I like adding dark chocolate chips)
- Almond Joy: Replace some of the oats for chopped almonds, coconut and of course chocolate chips!
- Cinnamon Raisin: Instead of chocolate chips adding in raisin and some cinnamon.
- Trail Mix: Loaded with chocolate chips, raisins and nuts.
- Monster Cookies: Add in mini M & M’s and chocolate chips! This is my kids favorite version!
- Lemon: Zest one whole lemon then add then juice half of it! Sprinkle in poppy seeds too!
- Cake Batter: This is my favorite! Made with sprinkles and vanilla protein powder it tastes just like birthday cake!
frequently asked questions
Can you freeze energy bites?
Yes! These no bake energy bites can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months!
What can I use instead of flax seed?
Chia seed or hemp seed are a good alternative to ground flax seed. You can also substitute the flax for more oats or unsweetened shredded coconut!
Would Maple syrup work?
Yes! Maple syrup can be used in place of the honey!
What are the calories per serving?
This is a question that gets asked a lot. The calories are 200 for 1 serving (1 bite) I know that seems like a lot but the peanut butter in this really adds to the calories. These bites are perfect as a snack or pick me up or a quick breakfast before working out! Some readers have tried using powdered peanut butter to save on calories!
What do I do if its too dry?
If the mixture seems too dry try adding a splash of water. I do 1 tablespoon at a time. This helps bind everything together. Alternatively you can always add a scoop more of peanut butter, honey or maple syrup to bind everything up!
More healthy breakfast recipes to try!
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
- Oatmeal Smoothie
- Date Energy Balls
- Copycat Kind Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola
- Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
products used
Energy Bites (8 Ways!)
Ingredients
Energy Ball Base
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup ground flax seeds
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 cup mix in's (see variations below)
Double Chocolate
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
White Chocolate Cranberry
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 14 cup dried cranberries
Lemon
- 1/2 lemon zested and juiced
- 2 tsp poppy seeds
Monster Cookie
- 1/4 cup mini M & M's
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Trail Mix
- 1/4 cup peanuts
- 1/4 cup raisins
Almond Joy
- reduce oats by 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Cake Batter
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
- 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Combine the peanut butter, oats, flax seed and honey in a large bowl. Stir in your mix ins. Place in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes so they are easier to roll. Also slightly damp hands make it easier to roll as well!
- Roll into 12 bites and store in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Did you make this?
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more energy bites to try!
10 minutes- 10 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 15 minutes
- 10 minutes
Ami
I make these and just leave them as is in the bowl. I grab a few spoons full before work! Yummy breakfast, thank you! Also the recipe is super adaptable.
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Ami! Thanks so much for sharing!
Michelle
These are fantastic! I’ve made them several times now. The first time, I made them exactly as the recipe instructs. Since then, I’ve added whatever’s in my pantry, and then just add more peanut butter and honey if it gets too dry. I’ve added chia seeds (in addition to flax, not instead of), shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, craisins, raisins, and cocoa powder. I imagine chopped dried cherries would be amazing too. These are a go to snack for my whole family and they rarely last more than a day. Thank you! 😁
Kelley Simmons
So glad you to hear you enjoy these energy bites Michelle! I love all of the variations you’ve tried!
Kate
Do these have to be refrigerated? Thinking they would be perfect to send to school with my son since he stays after school for practice and needs a super quick snack in between?
Kelley Simmons
Hi Kate,
I typically keep these refrigerated just because they hold up better when they are cold however the ingredients won’t spoil if left in a backpack all day. They may loose their shape a bit and might fall apart though if not cold. The cold helps to bind everything and keep it together. So if that is ok I think it should work out fine! You could also freeze them and put them in his backpack frozen and by the time he goes to eat them they should be thawed and still a bit cold!
Hope this helps! Thanks!
Kelley
Cammy
LOVE this recipe. I like to use organic golden ground flax as it has a sweeter flavor than the usual brown ground flax. Trader Joe’s sells dark chocolate chunks which work nicely in this! One day I might grind the organic, quick cook oats and see if this tastes any differently. And perhaps dip in melted chocolate to make a healthy buckyeye ball.
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoy this recipe!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rubyxharris
I suggest freezing them after you make them for a bit! Otherwise they’re a bit sticky!! But otherwise amazing!’
James Price
These are delicious! Easy to make and HEALTHY. Great way to fill sweet craving without eating junk. Had something similar at coffee shop recently and am so glad I stumbled upon these! Great recommendations on substitutes
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoyed these energy bites James! Thanks for sharing!
Melanie
These are my new go to snack. So delicious, healthy and they keep together nice as bars. I flattened them in a pan 9×13, and refrigerated them. The only thing I did different from the recipe was , I used dark chocolate chips.
Thanks so much for the recipe
Kelley Simmons
Hi Melanie!
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe! I love the idea of making these into bars!
Thanks,
Kelley
Pam
Thank you for this recipe. Looking for easy breakfast foods for my 95 year old Aunt who still lives on her own. She doesn’t have a lot of energy to cook a big breakfast so a couple of these these will be very easy to take out and a nutritious breakfast !!!! I substituted raisins for choc chips 😉
Kelley Simmons
Hi Pam!
You are so kind to make these for your Aunt! I hope she enjoys them! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kelley
Lachelle
I made these last night and LOVE them!!! Very easy recipe to follow!
Michelle
These are so good, so easy to make, & are so helpful when looking for a quick snack. I make these along with some other bites to have on hand during the week.
Kelley Simmons
So glad you enjoy these energy bites! Thanks so much for sharing!